Financial, Legal & Medical Coverage

Medicare Coverage for Inpatient Hospital Stays - Medicare pays all covered costs except the $1,068 yearly deductible during day 1 – 60 of an inpatient hospital stay. Medicare will pay $267 per day for days 61- 90 and $534 (life time reserve days) for day 91- 150 for a hospital stay. The patient will pay all costs for 150 -365 days of an inpatient hospital stay. * based on 2009 rates.

Medicare Coverage for Hospice Programs – Hospice is a program of care and support for people who are terminally ill. Hospice is generally given in your home. It includes drugs, physical care, counseling both emotional & spiritual needs, equipment, & supplies. It focuses on comfort to live out the time that they have remaining to the fullest extent not on curing an illness.

Medicare Part A will pay for hospice services when your Doctor & the Hospice Medical Director certify that you have six months or less to live. You will sign a statement choosing hospice to treat your illness. Medicare will no longer cover treatment intended to cure your illness.

• You have a right to stop Hospice Care at any time & receive the same Medicare coverage that you had before you choose Hospice.
• With Hospice, you will pay no more than $5 for each prescription drug or products for pain relief or symptom control
• Medicare will also pay for a short term inpatient hospital or skilled nursing home stay if you or your caregiver need a break. This is called Respite Care. You will pay 5% of the Medicare approved amount for inpatient respite care.
• If you live longer than 6 months, you can still receive Hospice Care as long as the Hospice Medical Director recertifies that you are terminally ill.

Close

• Medicare beneficiaries are eligible for extra help with prescription drug coverage if you have limited income & resources. You qualify, you need to contact your local Social Security Office to see if you are eligible.

Close

• Your spouse, 62 or older
• Your spouse, at any age, if they are caring for your children who are younger than 16, are disabled, or under the age of 19 who are a full time student.

Skilled Nursing Facility – About half of all nursing home residents pay for nursing home costs out of their own savings. After these savings & other resources are spent, many people who stay in a nursing home for a long period of time become eligible for Medicaid. Medicare pays only for medically necessary skilled services. After a 3 day hospital stay, Medicare pays day 1 -20 of a skilled nursing facility at 100%, day 21- 100 are paid 80% as long as you are receiving skilled services. Medicare does not pay for custodial care such as dressing, bathing, and toileting.

Close

Program All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)- Is available in certain states. You must be 55 year old & live in an area where PACE is offered. You must meet the requirements of needing skilled care. It is a benefit available under both Medicaid & Medicare that permits a patient to live at home and receive in home services as an alternative to being in a skilled nursing facility. It offers medical, social, rehabilitative, personal care, nutritional, meals, and counseling services. It is available 24 /7/ 365.

Medicaid Health Insurance - Is a state and federally government program that helps people with low incomes and limited assets. Who is eligible and what services are covered varies from state to state. It pays for some health services & nursing home care.

Medicare Ombudsman – Is a person who provides help to Medicare participants regarding insurance complaints, grievances, and requests for information. They can also help explain your Medicare options, rights, and protection.

Legal Services – It is a good idea to update your power of attorney, living will & estate, and have a health care proxy in the state where you reside. If you already have these legal documents, it is a good idea to review them every few years to make sure there are no changes in your wishes.

Second Medical Opinions – Most insurance will provide coverage for an office visit in connection with a second medical opinion for a cancer diagnosis, recurrence, or treatment options.

Close

• If you do not have insurance, ask to speak to your hospital’s (or center’s) financial advisor to discuss options with you.
• Other Commercial Insurance resources are to contact your Employee Benefit Representative or Human Resources Department with your employer.
• Also ask if your Insurance Plan provides coverage for a Medical Case Manager who can help answer questions and make referrals to other community resources that could help you.
• Many insurance plans require you select a Primary Care Physician (PCP). Choosing your PCP is important. All in- network care except for emergency & certain other services must be provided, arranged, or authorized by your PCP. Many plans require the PCP to make a referral to see a specialist. Your insurance company will send you a letter confirming the referral.
• You will receive the highest level of coverage when you receive in- network benefits. If you choose to see a specialist who does not participate with your insurance plan or who is outside the network, you will have to pay higher costs. You will also pay higher costs if you do not have the appropriate referral or authorization.
• Having a referral doesn’t necessarily mean a service is covered. Your insurance company will only pay for services that are part of your health plan as defined in your contract. Also if a service is subject to a benefit limit (# of visits per year), they will not cover services in access of that limit

Close

• To Do List (review your contract as to what is covered; speak to your hospital’s financial representative, medical case managers/community resources)
• In-patient hospitalization, *skilled nursing, *assisted living, *home health care, *prescription drug coverage, *hospice coverage.
• What is a Medicare ombudsman?
• Medical Assistance
• Program All Inclusive for Elderly (PACE) – at home services as an alternative to skilled nursing care.
• Commercial Insurance – Work with your employer / Human Resources Dept.
• What is a PCP?
• Referrals / pre- authorizations
• In-network vs. out of network benefits.
• Tips on how to Resolve issues with my insurance company
• What’s covered (hospice, palliative care)

Close

• Visit your attorney to make sure you have an up to date will & estate, arrange guardianship for any under age children, POA, health care proxy.

Close